This thread is based on a conversation JayTee Vegas and I had earlier today. I and others have heard said "they just wouldn't dance no matter what I did." So how do you get the floor moving if they don't respond at first..
ARE YOU A PARTY STARTER?
- Thread starter barry stamper
- Start date
My strategy:
1) Remain calm;
2) Look to my handy dandy "cheat sheet" Top 100 list;
3) Casually switch genres/eras by nicely switching from one song to another without letting a "song of death" play until the very end;
4) In a worst case scenario, I will have them up by the fifth song.
The one time it took me until the fifth song, I was worried, but I ended up getting some of my best feedback ever (by the end of the night, if you do it all right, they will forget the initial blight).
1) Remain calm;
2) Look to my handy dandy "cheat sheet" Top 100 list;
3) Casually switch genres/eras by nicely switching from one song to another without letting a "song of death" play until the very end;
4) In a worst case scenario, I will have them up by the fifth song.
The one time it took me until the fifth song, I was worried, but I ended up getting some of my best feedback ever (by the end of the night, if you do it all right, they will forget the initial blight).
I would consider myself a party starter. Like Vinyl, I keep digging until I can tickle a dance nerve of any of the guest.
SOD Off????
Have any of you guys ever heard of the British expression "Sod off"?
What is your criterion for a "Song of Death" (which I nominate heretofore be referred to in Our DJ Talk as SOD). Killing a song shows your hand. Hey audience, I made a mistake! Do you try to kill it in a refrain so it isn’t noticed? When do you balls it out and when do you run away? Is it just before the rotten tomatoes or is it earlier?
My strategy:
1) Remain calm;
2) Look to my handy dandy "cheat sheet" Top 100 list;
3) Casually switch genres/eras by nicely switching from one song to another without letting a "song of death" play until the very end;...
Have any of you guys ever heard of the British expression "Sod off"?
What is your criterion for a "Song of Death" (which I nominate heretofore be referred to in Our DJ Talk as SOD). Killing a song shows your hand. Hey audience, I made a mistake! Do you try to kill it in a refrain so it isn’t noticed? When do you balls it out and when do you run away? Is it just before the rotten tomatoes or is it earlier?
I was referring to the first main dance of the night. "Song of Death" = "song that doesn't get anybody onto the dance floor", in my earlier post.
Killing a song, whether I chose it or somebody requested it, shows that I respect the fact that nobody is dancing to it and I will move on to something you like. There are exceptions, of course, like when it is a "drinking" crowd and I know they probably won't dance no matter what.
By virtue of having to select a piece of vinyl and cue it, there is "x" amount of time, which I have never measured, before which I can do anything. During a chorus or musical interlude is the best time for me.
Folks,
I'd like to pass along a little bit of personal experience if I may:
The music is everything in this biz. Yeah, we all know that. So how do you know what to try?
Try looking at the licence plates on the guests' cars for starters. You may do this while you're loading in. Knowing where the guests are from helps a lot. For instance, if we have guests from New Jersey and points North, they'll appreciate Frankie Sinatra during dinner.
If you arrive before the guests, put on some tunes at low volume and observe their reaction.
Are they tapping their feet? Are they tapping the tables with their hands? Watch their lips. Are they mouthing the lyrics? If so, you're off to a good start. If not, get out there and visit. Mingle with 'em. Ask 'em what they'd like to hear. Then play it. Honor their requests.
Also, are they leaning close to converse? This means it's too loud. Back it off a bit. Another indication of too loud: the majority of the guests have moved away from your setup and are lingering around outside.
Did you sweep the floor with a stinker? I know I have... more times than I care to recall. Kill that sucker and segue into a slow dance. Let the floor die for awhile and the dancers rest up. Then spin a track that's similar to what they've been dancing to.
Hope it helps.
I'd like to pass along a little bit of personal experience if I may:
The music is everything in this biz. Yeah, we all know that. So how do you know what to try?
Try looking at the licence plates on the guests' cars for starters. You may do this while you're loading in. Knowing where the guests are from helps a lot. For instance, if we have guests from New Jersey and points North, they'll appreciate Frankie Sinatra during dinner.
If you arrive before the guests, put on some tunes at low volume and observe their reaction.
Are they tapping their feet? Are they tapping the tables with their hands? Watch their lips. Are they mouthing the lyrics? If so, you're off to a good start. If not, get out there and visit. Mingle with 'em. Ask 'em what they'd like to hear. Then play it. Honor their requests.
Also, are they leaning close to converse? This means it's too loud. Back it off a bit. Another indication of too loud: the majority of the guests have moved away from your setup and are lingering around outside.
Did you sweep the floor with a stinker? I know I have... more times than I care to recall. Kill that sucker and segue into a slow dance. Let the floor die for awhile and the dancers rest up. Then spin a track that's similar to what they've been dancing to.
Hope it helps.
This Saturday I had a Christmas event when it was time to dance not many people danced. Until I faded the song that noone was dancing to I got on the mic and said that Peter (The Boss of the company) is waiting for you to join him on the dance floor, those of you that don't come will not get paid on Friday. (just kiddin of course) The dance floor got packed untill the end.
I have had it where a dance florr has been empty (once or twice), what I have done ion the past it put on the Wedding March, All of a sudden, I have everybodys attention and I usually at that time, Say something to effect of, "Hey, just seeing if you guys have been listening"
Sometimes they just won't dance.
I had a corporate party.. last two times I performed for them EVERYONE danced. This time, only a small handful of people. Yet everyone had a great time and complimented me on the music-- it turns out that everyone had to work during the daytime and were all worn out-- adding the stress of the month they've had so far.
Again--- some crowds just don't dance.
I had a corporate party.. last two times I performed for them EVERYONE danced. This time, only a small handful of people. Yet everyone had a great time and complimented me on the music-- it turns out that everyone had to work during the daytime and were all worn out-- adding the stress of the month they've had so far.
Again--- some crowds just don't dance.
I've had a packed floor and put on a song that killed the floor, last time it happend it was Footloose!
I hit stop and said "I hate it when that happens!" I was smiling and then I put on a slow song and brought them back...
I've had a few times where I just play 4 or 5 songs about a minute each untill someone comes out to the floor...
I've learned that if have played a couple of "A" songs and no one comes out, it's not you, just chillax and no worries.... sometimes it's da crowd..
I hit stop and said "I hate it when that happens!" I was smiling and then I put on a slow song and brought them back...
I've had a few times where I just play 4 or 5 songs about a minute each untill someone comes out to the floor...
I've learned that if have played a couple of "A" songs and no one comes out, it's not you, just chillax and no worries.... sometimes it's da crowd..
If my floor is empty, volume goes down. No energy on the floor sometimes means people just wanna talk.
However, I seem to do my best work during dinner hour....keeping families entertained with humor (every now and then), video, and getting the kids to come out on the floor for ring around the rosie.
When I can see the folks are engaged, the bride and groom are happy, and the kids are having fun (while moms and dads drink) then I know its on like donky kong after special dances.
Mash up the typical partystarters early, get them out of the way, then get to the sweet stuff. and watch what works....
However, I seem to do my best work during dinner hour....keeping families entertained with humor (every now and then), video, and getting the kids to come out on the floor for ring around the rosie.
When I can see the folks are engaged, the bride and groom are happy, and the kids are having fun (while moms and dads drink) then I know its on like donky kong after special dances.
Mash up the typical partystarters early, get them out of the way, then get to the sweet stuff. and watch what works....
What I have tried to do is, when I introduce myself in the begining, I will give an outline of the evening....music wise...meaning we will start off with some old favorites, and move back and forth between the old and the new. I tell them that they will tell me what they want to hear...by their response...... by showing up on the dance floor. I like to"turn" the dance over ever 3 or 4 songs......one style (age) to the next. I'm not afraid to cross-fade, after a minute or so, out of a song, and move on.
I do this for the first open dance at all my weddings. Start with Unchained Melody or another guaranteed floor filler and hit 'em with an upbeat floor filler right after. Works 99.9% of the time.